Laurie's Blogs.

Hello Laurie,

Thanks for the great resource in the website!  I have a question; I am currently working with a 6 y/o mn Chihuahua who had bilateral extracapsular luxating patella surgery about 4-5 months ago.  Between complications and his being a weeny, he has major contracture and muscle atrophy of the hamstrings.  I am massaging the legs to normal or closely normal position, joint compressions and attempting to place him in standing position.  We have tried underwater work, (in the kitchen sink) and he refuses to do anything but look pitiful.  He weighs about 4#, do you have nay other suggestions? 

Thanks,

L

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Hi L,

Thank you so much for joining my website.  I'm delighted that you are finding it useful.

So... these little guys are tough nuts to crack.  I don't think they have much incentive to use a leg if they don't have to / want to.

What I would actually suggest for the contracture, is a dynasplint to gain the ROM and THEN you can get him to use it!

Here's the link I found specific to small animals... they're a 'human' company that has branched out into animals:

http://www.dynasplint.com/divisions/veterinary/small-animal/

Will he do any stepping?  Any placing?  Any attempt to extend the leg himself and/or try to use it for balance?

If not... then there isn't much you can do until you get ROM back passively... 

And owners of these little guys simply don't / won't stretch them to the degree they need to be stretched, nor will they be able to bring the dog in every day / twice a day - as would be needed... so I think you need a splint that can be put on and dialed into extension for several hours at a time...

He'll have to start with 20 - 30 minutes or up to an hour and if that was okay (i.e. no skin breakdown, etc) then increase time to a couple of hours, then several hours, and then perhaps overnight or during the day (with the Chihuahua in a cone or supervises so at not to chew it off).

Seeing as you have tried everything including the kitchen sink... Ha ha... I just had to say that... then it's time to change it up a bit!

Hope this helps!

Cheers,

Laurie